Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Unexpected Proposal (1)
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"For now, that's my take. Makina's hiding something from me, and I suspect it's connected to the guardian angel."
"Why do you think that?"
The reason I came to that conclusion was the information I'd gotten by threatening Theodore under hypnosis, but there were other suspicious circumstances as well.
It might be better to filter the information I spread, distinguishing between what could bring one closer to the existence of the original and what wouldn't.
"Even though the harm has been focused on me, Makina did nothing until the exact moment the guardian angel latched on, and that's when she suddenly became proactive."
To be precise, it was more like she admitted to deliberately focusing anger and anxiety on me to control the cadets more easily.
In any case, after that, Makina had actively tried to make contact with Sir Reynolds to resolve the "devil incident in the literature club."
And then, inevitably, she ended up getting attacked by that devil, which gave power to the guardian angel...
"That does sound too coincidental to be mere chance."
"Makina's majoring in theology, so she might have sensed something. It's all just speculation right now. But whether we treat her as an enemy or accept her as an ally, it's too soon to decide rashly."
"Even so, isn't it dangerous to inform Student Council President Makina about this? If the guardian angel is a death spirit or something even stronger, there's a risk it possesses intelligence."
Theodore cautiously offered his opinion.
Of course, he was right.
I clearly remembered how the guardian angel had memorized our entire conversations to learn language, then presented them situationally to attempt communication with me.
Thinking anew about what I was giving up and trying to obtain sent chills down my spine.
'I hope this is a choice worth the risk.'
Once we'd finished talking, we consciously shifted to idle chit-chat before parting ways.
Arthur seemed like he had something to say to me, shooting me glances several times, but he never opened his mouth.
***
As soon as morning came, we gathered in the dining hall.
One of the odd behaviors Judith had pointed out was that I either never ate at all or, if offered food, devoured it without restraint.
'Good, I'm actually feeling hungry.'
I hadn't even noticed the hunger until Judith mentioned it that morning.
It felt strangely delightful, even though it was the most natural thing—probably because I'd spent months in a near-death state after being swallowed by the shadow, no, even before that.
"Senior! It's been ages since we ate breakfast together!"
"Yeah, it has. Come sit here."
While I sat at the dining hall table, poking my flat stomach and pondering the menu, Shirley and Judith arrived.
Both were dressed like me, in activewear similar to riding uniforms topped with thick winter coats.
Judith with her sword belted at her waist, and Shirley with her lance slung on her back—they cut an imposing figure.
"Arma. So, when are you going to see Makina?"
"Today's the only day we have time. Seasonal classes start tomorrow, and Makina's graduating soon."
"...Sigh. I don't even feel like I've had a break. All I remember is being cooped up the whole time because of the storm!"
Shirley plunged her face toward the soup bowl she'd ladled for herself.
Judith successfully defended it by shoving the bowl aside just before Shirley's hair dipped in.
"Don't play around with your food."
"Okay~ ..."
"A knight's code doesn't tolerate sloppiness. Don't forget that."
"Yes, sir! Sir Taylor!"
"I don't have a knighthood yet. That kind of impertinence is a demerit too."
"Eek."
Having received a stern scolding from Judith first thing in the morning, Shirley clutched her head with both hands and pretended to wail, then grinned broadly and demolished her soup, bread, grilled fish, and more like an elephant.
"Senior, you just thought I was like an elephant, didn't you?"
...Could Shirley read minds?
As expected of a prodigy destined for the history books—sharp as ever.
Caught off guard, I stammered an excuse that came out all wrong.
"...Sorry. But elephants are cute."
"Between an elephant and Cookie, which is cuter?"
"Cookie."
"You're impossible."
Even as she said that, Shirley never stopped shoveling food with her spoon.
Beside her, Judith polished off a mountain of salad and egg dishes in no time.
"Speaking of Cookie, how about sticking with her for a while?"
"With Cookie? Why?"
Judith quietly set down her spoon without a clink and wiped her lips.
While she paused, Shirley and I finished eating too, and the servants who had approached silently cleared the used dishes and vanished.
"Because she might notice your unstable condition first."
Thinking about it, Judith's suggestion wasn't entirely baseless.
Animals were said to sense such anomalies often.
But I shook my head.
"Hmm, no. She might react strangely and cause trouble."
"That's true."
Judith muttered under her breath, something like, "Cookie's a scaredy-cat anyway..."
Since it wasn't directed at me, I didn't have a chance to pick up the thread and defend Cookie.
The three of us savored a leisurely meal together for the first time in ages before rising from our seats.
As always, the ghostly silent servants swiftly cleared our table after we left and melted back into the shadows.
"So, we're heading there right now?"
"...The sooner the better, as they say. You two come with me."
"Obviously."
Judith gave my shoulder a light punch with her fist and positioned herself beside me.
"Wouldn't it be better to call Theo and Arthur Usher too?"
"Maybe."
"Oh? What's this?"
Shirley widened her eyes and whispered to Judith, "Senior Arma's turned over a new leaf."
She lowered her voice like it was a whisper, but it was basically meant for me to hear.
'Have I been shutting them out too much...'
I hadn't meant to, but my actions lately had clearly made them anxious.
Shirley dashed off ahead to fetch the two.
To go from Thorn Crown House to Black Lily House, we had to pass the chapel, so we decided to wait there for Shirley and the others.
"Arma."
A natural silence fell, broken by Judith.
"Yeah?"
"How far can I get involved?"
"..."
She always checked boundaries before acting.
I really appreciated Judith's cautious nature in moments like this.
It was probably partly due to our terrifying first meeting, but also her unique thoughtfulness.
I glanced at her prosthetic arm—which barely looked fake—before answering.
"As much as you want, but only as much as I can handle."
"Not as much as I can handle, but as much as you can?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm asking."
"That's tricky. I'll try."
Judith said that and looked up at the sky.
After a comfortable silence, we spotted Shirley waving her arms from afar.
"Everyone's here. Let's go."
Four of the supernovas dubbed the "six who will etch their names in history," plus Arma Cruz, who belonged to none.
Thus, the members of my future knight order—who would board the same ship as me—were assembled.
***
*Knock knock.*
At the front of Black Lily House's central hall stood a large door leading to the student council headquarters.
We passed through it and knocked on the door of the president's office where Makina should be.
"Yes."
As expected, even early in the morning, Makina was there.
She twitched an eyebrow at our arrival, then set aside the stack of documents she was reviewing (labeled "4th Quarter Dormitory Hygiene Status and Improvement Plans").
"You look like you've made up your mind about something."
Makina slowly rose from her desk and approached the guest table.
Somehow, she'd already summoned servants, who placed a teapot and cups for exactly six people before disappearing.
We sat in a row as Makina directed, facing her.
"So, what did you come all this way to discuss?"
The ice-blue eyes reflected in her teacup distorted and rounded repeatedly amid the floating tea leaves.
It looked almost like laughing, or crying.
I turned my gaze from the cup to Makina.
"What I'm about to say is a very long story."
How much of my words would Makina believe?
Leaving out the dream, I laid out purely what I'd experienced and my speculations.
"...In other words, all the unfortunate and inexplicable incidents after the murder case were no coincidence."
"I regret that too. Anyone would think the same after going through such things back-to-back."
"Makina Christy. Arma Cruz speaks the truth. We've come here to inform you that this incident remains unresolved."
When my words alone weren't enough, Theodore chimed in.
"The incident is unresolved? Well, yes, since we didn't catch the culprit—"
"You know that's not what we mean."
Makina smirked at Theodore's words and crossed her legs.
Her lips curved into a perfect smile, but I knew well it wasn't her true feeling.
The perfect idol, Makina Christy.
Beneath that lay an utterly cold individual with a rational mindset that could easily use even someone like me if needed.
"If what Cadet Arma Cruz says is true, then this 'guardian angel' tormenting you is devouring your self?"
"...In short, yes."
"Then these words of yours could be at its behest?"
"Makina Christy."
Judith, who had been silently listening, spoke in a cold voice.
Makina turned her smiling expression toward Judith.
Eyes of different blue shades met.
"I respect you as student council president, but is this attitude appropriate? You know full well that what's happening to Arma defies explanation."
"An apt metaphor. But there's one correction I'd like to make."
Makina moistened her lips with cooled tea and looked at me.
"I believe you. There's no lie in what Cadet Arma Cruz says. It's just unprecedented, so I can't accept it rashly."
"Even as we speak, the 'guardian angel' is growing stronger. Aegis Academy's cadets are at peak sensitivity and isolation right now—the perfect prey for it."
"Shall I make a proposal?"
As the talk dragged on, Makina cut in sharply.
"It's a demonic entity that muddles the mind, shows aggression toward certain cadets, feeds on fear to gain power—and it's eroding your soul?"
"Yes."
"Understood. Then I just need to witness it firsthand. I'll call the servants now to pack my things—hmm, where to..."
Makina playfully tapped her chin, pretending to ponder.
What on earth was she planning? While I stared blankly waiting for her answer, she snapped her fingers as if struck by inspiration.
"This council room would be perfect. It was originally the inaugural chancellor's guest mansion, renovated. This reception-cum-president's office has adjoining side rooms on either side, with separate bathroom and bath."
"...Pardon?"
"From today until we spot those suspicious signs, I propose we become temporary roommates."
"What are you talking about?"
"Servants! I have a request."
Without hearing more, Makina spun around and rang the bell on her desk to summon them.
We stared at each other in stunned silence.
"Makina Christy's lost her mind!"
No, Shirley. Makina Christy doesn't seem to have lost her mind.
And that's the problem.